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Earth, Human interrelationship, Life, Oceans

What Are the Environmental Impacts of Using an Air Cleaner? 

By | On October 22,24 | 0 Comment

Air cleaners are becoming more popular for improving indoor air quality by removing dust, allergens, and pollutants. However, their growing use has raised concerns about their environmental impact. This article explores the ecological footprint of air cleaners, focusing on energy consumption, waste generation, and sustainable alternatives. 

Energy Consumption and Carbon Footprint 

Electricity Usage 

Most air cleaners run continuously to maintain optimal air quality, especially in heavily polluted areas. High energy consumption contributes to the overall carbon footprint, especially if the electricity comes from non-renewable sources like coal or natural gas. 

Energy-Efficient Models 

To reduce the environmental impact, some manufacturers offer energy-efficient air cleaners certified by ENERGY STAR. These models use less electricity, helping homeowners lower their carbon footprint and utility bills. 

Waste Generation from Filters 

Disposable Filters 

Many air cleaners use disposable HEPA or carbon filters that require regular replacement. These filters are typically made from synthetic materials and are not biodegradable, contributing to landfill waste. 

Reusable Filters 

Some air cleaners offer washable or reusable filters, which help reduce waste. Choosing models with these filters can minimize environmental impact and lower maintenance costs over time. 

Chemical Emissions 

Ozone-Generating Air Cleaners 

Certain air cleaners, such as ionizers and ozone generators, release small amounts of ozone into the air. While these devices can eliminate odors, they can also negatively affect indoor air quality and the environment by producing pollutants. Ozone is a known irritant and harmful at elevated levels. 

Safer Alternatives 

Opting for air cleaners with mechanical filtration methods, like HEPA filters, ensures no harmful emissions are released, making them a safer and more eco-friendly choice. 

E-Waste and Product Lifespan 

Disposal of Old Units 

Like other electronic appliances, air cleaners eventually reach the end of their lifespan, contributing to electronic waste (e-waste). Components such as motors, circuit boards, and plastics can harm the environment if not disposed of properly. 

Recycling Programs 

Some manufacturers offer recycling programs to safely handle old or broken air cleaners, reducing their environmental impact. Choosing brands with these initiatives ensures a more sustainable approach. 

Conclusion 

While air cleaners offer significant health benefits, they also have some environmental impact due to energy use, disposable filters, and e-waste. To reduce this footprint, homeowners can opt for energy-efficient models, reusable filters, and environmentally conscious disposal methods. Making mindful choices helps balance the need for cleaner air with sustainability efforts. 

Oceans

Does Seaweed can Absorb Carbon Dioxide?

By | On May 06,21 | 0 Comment

When we heard about seaweed, the first thing that comes to our mind is tao kae noi, the most famous seaweed snack from Thailand, or if you like sushi, then you definitely know the taste of seaweed that wrapping in the rice. 

Yes, definitely you all already know the beauty taste of the seaweed that melts on your tongue. Seaweed knows has high protein that is good to our health such as 

  • Contains Iodine and Tyrosine, Which Support Thyroid Function 
  • Contains 4 grams of protein 
  • Contains a Variety of Protective Antioxidants 
  • Provides Fiber and Polysaccharides That Can Support Your Gut Health 
  • And other good beneficials.

Recently, people are researching another benefit of seaweed, and one of the researchers was Winberg, a marine ecologist at the University of Wollongong. She has spent decades studying seaweed, she believes that seaweed’s fast growth rate and ability to absorb vast amount of carbon dioxide can help fight climate change, deacidify the oceans, and change the way we farm, not just in the oceans but also on land. In short, Winberg believes averting the worst of climate change will involve growing more seaweed – much more.  

It says that “Globally, seaweeds are thought to sequester nearly 200 million tonnes of CO2 every year – as much as New York State’s annual emissions”. 

It was such a huge number and seem trustworthy. 

But the researchers are not completed yet, as a study published in Nature Geoscience found that our assumptions about seaweed absorbing carbon dioxide could be wrong. The study estimated that about 11 percent of total seaweed production may be sequestered, most of it after it sinks down into the deep sea. 

We may not know the truth about the seaweed, but according to these studies, there is high opportunity that seaweed might can absorb the carbon dioxide and help the world to minimize the level of carbon dioxide. 

Beyond Earth, Oceans

Ocean Sustainability for a better Economy

By | On April 13,21 | 0 Comment

There are 14 countries who commits in ocean sustainability in order to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Ocean is a big asset of economy in the world, and according to data, there are 90% of goods are traded across the ocean and the ocean economy contributes more than $1,5 trillion a year to the global economy. 

Hundreds of millions of people are having a better life and economy because of the ocean since there are many business industries in fishing and mariculture such as, shipping and ports, tourism, offshore energy, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. 

The ocean is so vast, and its role in the global economy and the lives of the world’s people so fundamental, however there are groups that destroying the nature of the sea and cause big damages to the sea animals and biodiversity. 

Ocean provides a wide variety of vital benefits, according to the Ocean Panel, there are 6 benefits of ocean to our life: 

It helps make the planet liveable and is critical to managing the effects of climate change. Besides forests, ocean can also produce oxygen. In fact, half of planet’s oxygen produced by ocean and the ocean absorbs 93% of world’s anthropogenic in the world. 

The global economy and the livelihoods of hundreds of millions of people depend on the ocean. The ocean economy contributes more than $1,5 trillion for the worldwide economy. As we can see that many people are work in the ocean sectors. 

The ocean provides billions of people with nutritious food, with a much smaller environmental footprint than land-based food production. Seafood contains are the sources of protein, and key nutrients, including the omega-3 fatty acids and iodine. 

Coastal habitats, such as mangroves, provide protection for hundreds of millions of people, nurture biodiversity, detoxify pollutants flowing off the land, and provide nursery areas for fisheries, increasing the supply of food and providing livelihoods. In fact, the coral reefs contribute $11,5 billion a year to tourism, benefitting more than 100 countries and providing food and livelihoods to local people. 

The ocean provides a sense of wonder, solace and connection to the natural world and is deeply woven into the cultural and spiritual lives of billions of coastal dwellers. It also gives pleasure to the hundreds of millions of people a year who visit it 

The ocean may store unknown treasures. In addition to its known benefits, it may be the home of undiscovered resources—including medical ones—and new knowledge. 

Oceans

Air pollution from China make stronger Pacific storms

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Air pollution is now the world’s biggest environmental health risk with 7 million deaths per year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), its effects can reach far beyond your heart and lungs. According to a new paper published by researchers at the California Institute of Technology, air. This causes clouds to grow denser, resulting in more intense storms above the ocean.

Since the Pacific storm track is an important component in the global general circulation, the impacts of Asian pollution on the storm track tend to affect the weather patterns of other parts of the world during the wintertime, especially a downstream region [of the track] like North America.

Oceans

Harmful Emissions From The Ships

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Today ships are responsible for 13 percent of diesel emissions worldwide. Until 2050 this number could even triple, says a current study of the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT). The situation in the Arctic is especially dramatic. It is expected that the emissions from ships in arctic waters will be six fold until 2025 and accelerate the melting of the ice.

 

The expected rise in emissions would eliminate much of the effort achieved on land so far. While exhaust fumes from cars, trucks and power plants are filtered, the shipping industry is incredibly excused from anti-pollution. To make things worse, even if the emissions happen in the air on the high seas – it can be blown several hundred kilometres inland. Just in Europe air pollution from ships causes about 50.000 premature deaths.

 

There are still solutions. The ICCT study estimates that emissions could be reduced by 70 percent with the currently available measures – and that’s even a conservative estimation. If all ships would use soot particle filters, 99,9 percent of soot could be filtered from the fumes. The use of marine diesel with a better quality and effective exhaust gas emission systems needs to become compulsory for all ships.